For security reasons, the law requires the control and overhaul of certain devices. Well-maintained heating equipment improves the performance of your installation, increases the life of your equipment, and reduces your energy bill. Boiler, fireplace, stove. what are your obligations and the good reasons for maintaining them?
Why Maintain Your Boiler?
Gas, oil or wood boiler: which says combustion says compulsory maintenance, for your safety and for the proper functioning of your heating equipment installation. A well-maintained boiler generates 5 times less breakdown. Its yield even increases from 8 to 12% and its life expectancy is multiplied by 2 (source ADEME).
Maintaining your boiler is mandatory: whatever the fuel used, the regulations require an annual review by an authorized heating equipment engineer. The professional checks the general condition of the device. He cleans the connection duct, the heating body, the burners, the pilot light. and reviews the settings. It measures the level of carbon monoxide in the ambient air, to ensure that there is no risk of poisoning.
The revision is the subject of a certificate, to be kept preciously! In fact, in the event of a claim, your insurance will ask you for the certificate of proper maintenance of your boiler.
Why Maintain Your Central Heating equipment?
From the boiler to the radiators or the underfloor heating equipment, the hot water is routed in a circuit, which must be maintained to prevent the heating from malfunctioning.
Air pockets form from time to time in the hot water circuit. They reduce the performance of the installation. In addition, the heat of the water can cause sediment to form.
A network sludge is then necessary. The law does not impose any obligation in terms of maintenance of the central heating equipment circuit, but prevention is better than cure: it is advisable to clear the water every 5 years on average, or before replacing an old boiler with a recent model. Know that this is a delicate operation, which it is better to entrust to a specialist. Poorly done, it can damage your network and it can cost you dearly!
However, the purging of radiators, to evacuate air pockets, is within everyone’s reach. This involves emptying the air from the pipes, then putting the boiler back under pressure. Finally, the regular dusting of radiators will ensure better heat distribution and clean walls!
Why Maintain Your Fireplace, Insert Or Wood Stove?
The pleasure of heating with wood and the spectacle of flames requires regular maintenance to guarantee safety and performance and to avoid dirt produced by combustion.
The unit’s regular maintenance is your responsibility, that is to say, the emptying of ashes, cleaning the walls of the hearth or fireplace and the window when there is one.
The only obligation is the sweeping of the chimney flue by a professional, twice a year including once during the heating period, with an invoice with the key and a certificate of sweeping. Your insurer will obligatorily require it in the event of a claim.
Why Maintain Your Insert Or Pellet Stove?
Unlike wood heaters, which you can maintain yourself, those that work with pellets (or pellets), derived from wood processing by-products, require the help of a professional because they are highly technical (equivalent to a boiler).
The law requires a maintenance contract from an approved company. The specialist carries out an annual visit involving various cleaning, control, and specific adjustment operations. These checks include the on-board electronics (very sensitive) and the electrical installation. Added to this is the obligation to sweep the flue by a professional, twice a year, once during the heating period.
In the event of a claim, your insurer will require the maintenance contract for your insert or your pellet stove and a sweeping certificate as well as the sweeping invoice.
Be aware that you can carry out certain routine cleaning actions yourself during the heating equipment season: fireplace, burn pot, ash drawer, glass door. But be careful, any deterioration due to non-compliance with the manufacturer’s instructions would cause ‘ cancellation its safeguards.
Why Maintain Your Air-Water Or Air-Air Heat Pump?
These economical heating (and cooling) equipment require qualified maintenance.
They contain a refrigerant and require a good seal check.
The law requires an annual examination by a specialist if the heat pump contains more than 2 kg of refrigerant, i.e. a cooling capacity greater than 12 kW.
To check if your heat pump is affected, look on the back of the device, which usually has a label with all the main characteristics, or refers to your invoice or the manufacturer’s instructions.
Why Maintain Your VMC?
Mechanical controlled ventilation (CMV) is not a heater, but it can affect the comfort of the home. A poorly maintained VMC no longer wicks moisture properly and requires more heating equipment, which increases consumption and therefore the bill.
You can take care of the routine cleaning yourself: dusting, cleaning the vents, the fan.
If the law does not impose anything, about every 3 years, it is advisable to call a professional for complete maintenance, from the vents to the central box, via the air inlets.
Without forgetting the double-flow CMVs which require the replacement of filters periodically as well as the cleaning of the heat exchanger once a year (according to the manufacturer’s recommendations).
Why Maintain Your Hot Water Appliance?
If your boiler also produces hot water, see our advice on the boiler. If the production of hot water is independent: Water heater, cumulus or thermodynamic tank are not immune to a continuous review.
Proper maintenance protects you from hot water failures and saves you unnecessary consumption.
What Maintenance For Which Device?
The gas-fired water heater or bath heater must be serviced annually by a certified plumber, this is an obligation.
A scaled cumulus is energy consuming and malfunctioning. If it is fitted with a heat sink, this must be replaced after a few years of use, depending on the water hardness and the thermostat.
The thermodynamic balloon does not require complicated maintenance but it is preferable to contact a professional for a routine check, every 2 years, even if the law does not require it.
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